The Hunter (A Dark, Erotic Romance)

by A. R. Ford

  Kallie slid the shirt over her head and stood partially nude before him. He focused on the healing wounds. “These are healing very well. How is your arm today?”

  “Much better, thank you,” she murmured. A moan fell from her lips when he washed her back. “That feels so good!”

  His eyes fell on her breasts when she turned. Pale pink nipples puckered in the cool air. He washed her neck, praised the healing of the entrance wound, and groaned when she looped an arm around his waist. Her breasts fit perfectly in his hands.

  The instant her panties slid to the packed dirt floor Donovan knew what hell on earth felt like. His cock ached, pressed against the zipper of his jeans until he knew the teeth made permanent marks there. The soapy cloth slid between her legs, inches from paradise, and he froze.

  Kallie’s emerald eyes held his, the tip of her tongue coming out to wet her full lower lip. He rinsed and dried her, then picked her up and carried her to the bed.

  “I need you,” he growled before stripping out of his clothing. Her eyes widened, a pink flush filling her cheeks when she saw his cock proudly jutting into the air. “Tell me if I should stop,” he muttered against her ear. When she shook her head, he knelt between her thighs.

  Donovan caught Kallie’s lips, nipping at her lower lip until she opened. He devoured her as a starving man devours food for the first time. A finger teased the slick petals, eased upward, and circled her clit. A whimper and bucking hips were his reward.

  Each time he touched her, Kallie made sounds that made his gut clench and cock thicken. The tip of his cock settled between her petals. He caught her mouth again and with a heave, pierced her core. Her wail of pain was followed by tears. Donovan settled against her, caressing and kissing until she could continue.

  The silky, clasping heat was tighter than anything he had known. Her core fluttered around his cock as he drove deep. Still only partially sheathed, his hands caught her bottom. Lifting and angling, he thrust again. A hoarse groan came when the tip of his cock hammered her womb.

  Kallie clung to him, gasping, whimpering, and taking all he could give. His suckling lips upon a pale pink nipple inflamed his need. She milked his cock, grinding against him, begging for more. Donovan gave it all. A feral roar marked his release. The first scalding spurt of seed made her back bow off the bed as she came undone around him.

  Donovan held her fiercely afterwards, arms clutching her against his chest. “You are mine,” he whispered. “Forever.”

  Chapter 20

  Kallie

  Donovan. Kallie’s brooding, gallant healer turned lover. She craved his touch as desperately as food the day after the fever broke. She could not deny him. Regardless of his mercurial moods and intensely demanding needs, she succumbed and fell deeper under his spell.

  It came as no surprise to find him watching her the next morning when she woke. A rough hand eased between her thighs, fingers teasing, exploring, electrifying her flesh. She writhed and bucked against the fingers. It did not matter that once virginal flesh was now sore and swollen. He demanded. She gave.

  A hiss of breath between her teeth came when his thick shaft pushed home once again. How many times had he taken her during the night? She could not remember. Her head swirled with wave after wave of pleasure. Driving, grinding deep, he gave her what she craved. Her breath held as the pleasure bubble grew. It released when they reached the peak together. Her whimpering cries blending with his hoarse groans.

  He lay with his head pillowed on her breast, ragged, panting breaths slowing as he drifted back to earth. “You won’t leave me,” he commanded.

  “You don’t know me,” came her murmured protest.

  “I know all I need to know, Kallie.” Brooding, stormy eyes stared down at her.

  Kallie caressed his scruff with one hand. A nod gave him the answer he sought. Satisfied in more ways than one, he pulled away, leaving her empty and aching.

  “You should rest,” he commanded. “There have been many demands on your energy store.” A chuckle followed his words. It appeared Donovan owned a sarcastic sense of humor. One Kallie would need to learn and appreciate.

  They lingered in the cabin sharing intimate conversations about dreams and aspirations. Neither of them touched on their pasts. Her memory held vague recollections of the conversation between Luca and Donovan where the name Mallory was mentioned. Kallie knew it brought Donovan to a raging, feverish pitch. Perhaps it was as painful as her memories of the man she called father and the many welts her skin wore from his belt.

  Neither were of significance. All that mattered was the feverish need in his kisses and the mind-altering pleasure he gave her.

  He helped her bathe again. This time his touch was even more intimate. Fingers lingered between her thighs until she cried out, clutching at his muscular body with one good arm.

  He laid her on the bed, undressed, and stood watching her with hooded stormy eyes. His need was apparent. Thick, rigid, and weeping, it pulsed against his belly. Kallie’s body was narrow and until recently, untested. It opened eagerly for him although she whimpered with the burning stretch.

  They rocked together, arms and legs entangled, lips fused in hungry kisses. He filled her with his seed once more. How many times, Kallie wondered? Gods help her, she wanted even more. Only a fleeting fear came when she thought of his child growing in her womb. What would be would be. If Donovan’s seed took root and sprouted into life within her, she would nourish and protect the life with everything in her.

  After dozens of times in the past two days, Kallie knew with certainty it was possible. She did not care. An oath was struck with her heart of hearts. And she opened once again to the grinding, nearly painful thrusts of her lover’s body.

  Kallie woke exhausted the next morning. Donovan was gone. It did not bring fear as it would a few weeks before. It felt right to be here in his bed.

  Donovan returned with a smile and a lingering kiss. “Outside chores, Kallie. That’s the only reason I left you.” His kiss was filled with promises unspoken.

  Then came a knock upon the door. Luca peered inside, beckoning with a clenched fist for Donovan to join him outside. Kallie dressed in a hurry before heading to the outhouse. If only she had stayed inside. Perhaps then things would be different.

  A blonde woman stood at Luca’s side. “Mallory,” Donovan said.

  Kallie saw the look in his eyes. One that he graced her with only hours ago. One of love, yet deeper than the fledgling romantic notion she held within her heart. She would not let them know that she overheard, that she knew. Kallie walked past them with head held high. Into the outhouse she went, emptied her aching bladder, and came outside to wash her hands clean of things.

  Donovan held Mallory in his arms. Her head lay upon his shoulder. Luca glared at the ground, fists clenched. Was he the only one displeased with things? He turned, a pitying glance falling on Kallie.

  Kallie stood only for a moment before darting off into the wood as she had for years. Away from pain. Away from rejection. Away from hurt. It was better this way, actually.

  She found an abandoned cave to the south. Black and grey ashes within marked it as someone’s temporary shelter at one time. It would become hers now. A thick bed of grass from a nearby meadow would keep her warm. She gathered firewood until it lay piled high outside the cave’s mouth. Cold, clear water from a natural spring quenched her thirst. Nature’s bounty fed her. Plantain and other greens grew naturally in the meadow. There was more than she could eat in one sitting.

  When darkness fell, Kallie built a fire with practiced ease. She fed it through the night when sleep failed her.

  Nyssa whispered in her head, begging her to come back. Never, she replied, uncertain if Nyssa could hear her inner thoughts. Yes, Nyssa confirmed.

  Of course, she could. Nyssa could do many things she only dreamt of.

  Luca found Kallie early the next morning. He held a blanket, canteen, mug and other things she might need. He squatted by the fire, ey
es fixed on the dancing flames.

  “I’m sorry, Kallie. Donovan is mixed up in the head. She’s only here because she has nowhere else to go. When she gets tired, she’ll leave. Nyssa saw it yesterday. Of course, Donovan won’t listen.” He grunted, hands outstretched. “You’re our friend. If you need anything ask Nyssa in your head. I’ll do anything I can to help.”

  Kallie’s head lay propped on her knees. She stared into the flickering flames. There were no tears. This was how life was. Father taught her that much.

  “If you ever need medicine let me know. I know a lot of things other people have forgotten.”

  Luca grunted, gave a nod, and stood up. “I’ll check on you tomorrow. The blanket should help keep you warm.”

  Without a word he turned and left the cave. Luca was not complicated. He knew what he wanted, at least now. He was no longer ruled by feral lust or the need to procreate.

  Kallie wondered if that was what drove Donovan. Did he simply need to spill his seed into the first willing receptacle he came upon? It did not matter now. She gave herself to him willingly. For that, she had no regrets.

  Days turned into weeks. Weeks into a month. Luca came each day if for nothing more than to talk. Sometimes he asked Kallie to show him things in the meadow that could serve as food or medicine. He was an apt pupil.

  After the first month Luca sensed a change in her. Each morning for the past few days she woke so sick she could do little more than stagger outside the cave and wretch miserably on the ground. Luca saw it one day, brows drawing together as his lips compressed in a thin line.

  “Kallie, would you be honest if I ask you a personal question? I’m not prying. I just need to know.”

  After wiping her mouth on the back of a hand, she replied, “Of course, Luca. Anything for you and Nyssa.”

  “Have you had your monthly cycle since Donovan shot you?”

  Kallie’s gut clenched, knees grew weak. She sat on the ground when her head spun. “No.”

  The finality of the solitary word terrified Kallie. At one time she did not care that there was a risk of pregnancy. That was when she thought she meant something to Donovan Fitzpatrick. Before Mallory returned. Before life got so complicated in its innocuous, slippery way.

  “I thought as much,” Luca muttered. His jaw clenched, cerulean eyes glinted. A massive fist smacked into the palm of his hand. “That bastard.”

  “Don’t tell him,” she murmured. “I don’t want him knowing anything. She meant more.”

  “He’s a fool, Kallie.”

  “I have no need of fools in my life, Luca. I thank you and Nyssa for being good friends. I’ll come by tomorrow before I leave, if that’s okay with you?” Her voice trembled when she spoke.

  “Walden might be a good place for you, Kallie. We have a friend there. His name is Pritchard. Good man. He’d make sure you were safe. Just tell him Luca and Nyssa sent you.” Luca stared at the forest canopy while waiting for Kallie to speak. When silence stretched between them, he turned and walked away.

  The next day Kallie gathered the few things Luca and Nyssa had given her over the past few weeks. She placed everything in a threadbare pack, thrust her arms through the straps, and found the path leading to Luca and Nyssa’s cabin. Tristan stole her heart. The chubby baby who looked more like Luca with each passing day gave her sticky kisses and snatched her hair. She loved him even more.

  Nyssa cried, begging Kallie to stay. No. She could not intrude on her friends.

  Luca gave Kallie a one-armed hug. “I’ll kick his ass straight,” he rumbled.

  “Leave him be, Luca. I don’t have time for part-time people. I’ll be just fine,” Kallie promised. “I’ll make sure to tell Pritchard how happy you are and how handsome Tristan is.” She waved before walking out the door. The hand-drawn map Luca gave her would serve as the only guide she needed. Away from here was where she needed to be.

  Just over a mile or so away from Luca’s cabin, Kallie heard a voice calling her name. She glanced back momentarily then froze in horror when she saw Donovan walking toward her. “Kallie! Wait!”

  Kallie broke into a run, fleeing as anyone would if the devil was at their back. She had not made it far before he caught her. “Kallie, stop. Stop, dammit!”

  She whirled on him, livid with outrage. Donovan took a step back when he saw her face. “I’m not who you’re looking for. Go back to your cabin and your woman.”

  “I didn’t know she’d come, Kallie.”

  “And I suppose that makes this right? Go away, Donovan. I’ll be just fine without you.” Kallie turned and walked away.

  It came as a relief when he did not speak again or follow. She had no need of Donovan Fitzpatrick. It was high time she showed him that.

  Chapter 21

  Kallie

  It took just over a day to make it to Walden. Luca’s directions were flawless. Every major landmark was noted in his large, scrawling handwriting. Kallie walked through the main gate flanked by two guard towers.

  A tall man wearing jeans and a leather jacket looking exactly how Luca described Pritchard met her in front of the declining hotel. He grinned and waved when he caught her eye. “Howdy, I’m Pritchard. Good to meet you, miss.”

  Kallie offered him her hand and was relieved when his handshake was firm yet gentle. “I’m Kallie. Luca and Nyssa said I should look for you. They said you would help me.”

  Pritchard’s brows drew together. Nervous eyes darted around Kallie to the gate behind them as if he expected to see trouble busting through the gate. “Uh, yeah. What kinda help do you need?”

  “A place to stay. Luca sent some money. He said that should take care of things for the next seven or eight months.” Kallie shoved the leather purse filled with money into his hand. Pritchard looked at the purse then back to her. “Is there a problem with that?”

  “Uh, no, Kallie.” A thumb jerked over one shoulder indicated the hotel. “Follow me. I’ll get you all set.”

  And just like that, Pritchard tucked Kallie under his wing and made sure she had a roof over her head and food in her belly. Luca’s name seemed to carry a lot of weight in this town. Pritchard hinted at the reason for it later when they sat in the dining room of the hotel eating.

  “Dreven, he used to run the Snake Eyes. That’s a gang that used to be big around here. He held Nyssa against her will for years. Then when Nyssa got away, word got back here that she was with Luca. If you know Luca, you know he don’t take kindly to anyone messing with his woman. Did he ever tell you about the fight in the Catacombs?” Pritchard paused while he chewed a mouthful of venison stew.

  It seemed everywhere Kallie went there was venison stew. She was grateful for it given that she hadn’t had a lot to eat over the past day or so.

  “I expect anyone would know better than to tangle with Luca. I’m glad to call both he and Nyssa friends. So, what’s your story, Pritchard?” Kallie sat back relaxing in one of the padded dining room chairs. It was the first time in years her backside had felt such comfort.

  Pritchard grinned, the corners of his mouth quirking nervously. “Luca put me in charge after he beat Dreven. He’s been by a couple times to check on things. Not much to tell, really. I try to keep the Snake Eyes on the level and treat people fair. It’s what Luca wanted, and I am determined to keep the promise I made him.”

  They sat in companionable silence. Walden was a quiet town, at least it appeared that way on Kallie’s first glance around. She finished up the venison stew and stood up to go. Pritchard put a hand on her arm, leaning close as if needing to share a secret.

  “You make sure to let me know if you need anything, Kallie. I’ll make sure everything is taken care of. Luca would want it that way,” he assured her in a low voice.

  Kallie’s heart sank. She knew he wanted something more from her. More than she could give. There was no room in her heart for anyone except the two friends she had. And they were miles away.

  “I’ll be fine, Pritchard. I don’t want to g
et into something complicated. I don’t intend on staying around long.” His face went flat at Kallie’s words. He nodded at her and stood up straighter, shoulders drawn back.

  She paid it no mind. He wasn’t the only rooster to fluff his feathers when she was around. Kallie sure wasn’t about to get tangled up with Pritchard, no matter how harmless he seemed.

  The bed in the hotel room was extra soft. At least it was compared to what Kallie was used to. It took forever for her to fall asleep. Wheels kept turning in her head, taking her back to the two men in her life who meant the most but who betrayed her in the most intimate, damaging ways imaginable.

  Kallie felt numb when she thought of the tiny life growing inside her womb. Donovan’s baby meant almost nothing to her. She hoped it would change some time soon. An innocent life didn’t deserve to be punished for the sins of its father.

  *****

  Luca

  For days after Kallie left Luca stewed in a foul mood that not even Tristan could pull him from. Nyssa continued as she always did in that calm, gentle way that eventually eased the foulness from his thoughts.

  “Kallie doesn’t deserve what he did to her,” Luca grumbled. “I’m going to split wood.”

  Nyssa smiled before standing on her tiptoes to kiss him. He sighed, hand cupping the back of her head. “I’m sorry, Nyssa. You don’t deserve my mood.”

  “We consider Kallie a good friend,” she murmured. “My emotions are twisted up in all this.”

  “At least you can communicate with her if needed. I’m going outside. Call if you need me.”

  Their conversation came to an end. Bringing the axe down with every bit of rage and frustration in his body did little to ease the torment in his heart. Luca thought his old friend would treat Kallie better than he had. He warned Donovan who then failed to listen.

  Luca’s payback for treating Nyssa poorly was bitter and heart wrenching. Given the twisted humor of the gods, he knew Donovan’s payback would be ten times worse than anything he experienced. He prayed the fool knew what he was doing.